After collecting Harriette we went to the MacArthur factory outlet centre (I’m guessing maybe 80 shops) near Ashford. Harriette’s clothes all had security tags on so we needed to get those removed, and I was heading for the Clarkes shoe shop to buy size 9 (UK) shoes. I was very disappointed when told that they had none. I had so be pinning my hopes on this place. The girls found ‘Accessorize’ and ‘Claire’s’ and bought a tonne of cheap jewellery and we all found the Revlon factory outlet shop with mega cheap make-up.
Headed West. Found the village where Eric’s family came from (Echinswell) and had lunch and our first beer in the pub there before a wander round the churchyard. Didn’t find any Tanner graves though. Battery deqad in camera at this point! I must get a second spare one.
Next we went to meet with my elderly aunt. Bit of a mix up there. She told Eric she would meet us at some tea rooms so we ordered tea when we arrived but she met she would meet us there and show us the way to her place (she had given me direction the previous day!). The tearooms where also convenient for us as they were quite close to Marshfield, where Eric’s brother Graham and his family live. Anyway, tea with Auntie Cathe then off to Grahams where we met Edward, our nephew (the only one of 11 Tanner grandchildren to carry on the family name). Headed off to Debbie and Martin’s at Brean near Weston-Super-Mare. They live in an ex-bed and breakfast right on the beach. Debbie and Martin are wonderful hosts. I was not allowed to lift a finger. Actually I must say I am so enjoying being spoilt! For so many years we have been the ones to host visitors, and I really enjoy showing off the way we live, feeding people well and trying to make peoples stay with us as relaxing as possible for them but it is soooo nice to have the boot on the other foot and be on the receiving end for a change.
Debbie and Michelle:
The weather in Brean was shocking, incredibly windy. I left the bathroom window open and the bathroom was covered in sand (not even a sea facing window). The car was covered with a layer of sand mixed with saltwater spray. Very messy. It was raining on our first morning there, so combined with the wind I decided against a run. We drove to a village called Langsford on the Parrett river and had a long leisurely lunch there with Nicky,
a friend from college, and her partner Brian. We then went up to a monument just outside the village, which gave (or rather would have given, had the weather not been so foul), a panoramic view of the Somerset levels (a plain, previous flood lands).
The Tanner's on their 'summer' holiday:
Back to Martin and Debbie’s for a gorgeous meal very professionally prepared by Martin. Christopher, their 12 year old son, is an incredibly talented piano player and I was absolutely stunned at his playing. Quite wonderful. I am sure he could make a career of his music but he is aiming at engineering, in the aeronautical area.
The next morning took us the Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham to see Louise. Louise and I trained together. Lu then took a break in her training to have Suzannah. After completing her training she met Tim whom she married taking the family to 5 as Tim had 2 young children (his wife Janet died tragically young of cancer). They then had Sophie and Alice (my god-daughter), and a much later addition, Toby. Tim is retired and they live in wonderful old house, originally a stone masons cottage which was then extended and a large Edwardian façade added - I think that is right. The property is tucked up a tiny lane and has stunning panoramic views.
(View from the conservatory):
There were so many rooms and I loved the way Louise described them, this is the girls living room, this is my living room, this is the boys (ie Tim and Toby’s) living room. Another friend Helen came up to see us, Helen. Helen is one of life’s characters! She is married to Dave, a mathematician who has done very well in a career teaching in public (ie private) schools in Scotland and England. They have 2 sons whom they must be so proud of, both head boys in their years. Andrew, the younger, drove his mom up (much wine would obviously be consumed). Somewhat outnumbered by our 4 girls, he was a delight, charming and very good looking! Helen, Louise and I have a lot of history and I think H and A were quite bemused by the whole afternoon. They thought they were going to be bored and certainly were not! We had a great time. Lots of photos, including one of all our offspring, excluding Mark, Helens other son.
I was so pleased to see that Louise is finally showing a few signs of age! Louise, slightly older than me, looked like a child bride when she married and is always being mistaken for the girl’s sister. It was great to see she colours her hair to cover the grey (and could not believe that my brown hair with the merest hint of grey, and only if you look hard, was natural) and she has at long last put on some weight!! Thanks Lu!!
Louise cooked a lovely lasagne and I was disappointed, and tearful, when we finally had to leave.
We moved on to Shrewesbury where we are now staying with Alex (Eric’s eldest sister) and Dave. Tricia (another sister) and Simon were here and we all went for a Chinese. We walked to the restaurant (a bit of a struggle for Eric who was by now suffering with a bout of gout, luckily not as bad as on previous occasions, but going on a bit longer than usual). Lily and Sarah (more nieces) joined us and are great with the girls.
Yesterday we, as usual, woke very early. I was lucky enough to get back to sleep but Eric didn’t. Actually we woke early again this morning which was not much fun after a 2am bedtime. We are gradually becoming more sleep deprived each day!! Another day to shop! I took H,A and Lily in to town and we met Sarah there. They took the girls off and I met up with them for lunch. Actually I think I was the worst. I bought 4 pairs of shoes and stocked up on M+S bra’s. I was however restrained in Long Tall Sally and only bought one skirt! Harriette bought books!!! And this despite being told “baggage allowance” repeatedly. Her theory is she’ll ditch some clothes!! We went to Tricia and Simon’s yesterday evening for dinner and to meet up with Eric’s parents, both of whom look incredibly well and not a day older than when I last saw them 5 years ago.
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